This month, we go On the Ground with Josh Woodward, Committee for Perth’s new Programs and Policy Manager.
A research and policy professional with a PhD in Australian history, Josh brings a historian’s perspective to some very contemporary questions about Perth – how our city has evolved, how we have presented ourselves to the world, and what the past can teach us about where we go next.
In his new role, Josh will help shape Committee for Perth’s research and policy agenda, including revisiting previous research to explore what has changed, what remains remarkably relevant and where new thinking is needed. Having worked and lived in cities all over the world, Josh also brings an international perspective to Perth.
You grew up in Melbourne and then lived in Vietnam, Italy, the UK and Japan. What’s one thing you loved about each place?
Melbourne, I love and miss sport. Not just the AFL and the MCG, but the local sporting clubs that I grew up with. Vietnam, Italy, and Japan all have amazing food and coffee cultures that are hard to beat. Tokyo has more Michelin Stars than any other city in the world. In the UK, I love the rolling green hills of the countryside as well as the quick British humour!
What brought you to Perth?
My wife and I were preparing students from Tokyo City University for exchange programs at Edith Cowan University in late 2018. Many of the course materials had pictures of a sunny, paradisiacal, beachy city supposedly called Perth. I applied for a Master’s program at UWA and was accepted on a scholarship. We thought we would be here for two years, but now can’t think of anywhere we would rather live.
You’ve recently joined Committee for Perth as Programs and Policy Manager. What are you most looking forward to exploring?
For much of Perth’s modern history, universities and research organisations have spent tremendous amounts of money and time on attracting global intellectual talent to Perth. These have been worthy ventures and have meant Perth has always kept abreast of the global discussion. However, as Dr. Kate Brooks recently announced, ‘Perth has great people’ today, and we should do everything we can to ‘promote them more.’ I am excited about launching research and policy programs with Committee for Perth that tap the best talents and creative minds our city has to offer. Members interested in cutting-edge policy and research work – watch this space!
With your background as a historian, how do you think the way Perth presents itself to the world has changed over time?
I think there are two sides of Perth’s identity that have been with it since Captain James Stirling founded the Swan River Colony in 1829. On the one hand, Perth sees itself as a dynamic and entrepreneurial place where people can have a crack and a fair go. On the other, Perth sometimes is a bit bashful about its potential and tends to duck its head and self-deprecate. To a large degree these characteristics are true of most states, and stem from colonial settlement and distance from the imperial centre. Perth, geographically far from the rest of Australia as well as the world, has perhaps been more affected by questions of its potential and legitimacy. Distance is less a factor in global connectivity than ever before, and Perth has come a long way in growing into itself. Old habits die hard though, and we could still do a better job of announcing that we are here to the world – and that we are open for business 365 days of the year!
If you could take one successful idea from Perth’s past and reimagine it for the city today, what would it be?
I can’t call it a successful idea because it hasn’t happened yet. But there have been so many plans over the last century to activate and develop the stretch of foreshore between Elizabeth Quay and the Causeway. Cities like Singapore and Belgrade have done a fantastic job of activating their waterfronts, and Perth has so much potential in this direction. A significant redevelopment of the Langley Park foreshore could have untold benefits for Perth, not only in terms of creating opportunities for leisure and recreation, but also for biodiversity, commerce and a definitive focal point and meeting place that stands to give the Perth CBD the magnetism and spark it needs.
Is there something from Perth’s past that you think we should be careful not to repeat as the city grows?
Perth’s untamed urban sprawl will become an issue here in coming years, as it has in cities elsewhere. It seems the combination of building supply chains, zoning and policy settings has encouraged single domicile houses to grow further and further away from community centres and amenities.
Where will we find you when you’re not researching, writing or thinking about Perth?
My wife, daughter and I love our local life. We think the best weekends are spent within fifteen minutes of our little house in the northern suburbs. You might find us eating world-class pastries and watching the baking at Wyld Bakery or taking in the Saturday morning market at Kyilla Primary School. We love international travel as well and are always planning a holiday. Kuala Lumpar is our next planned adventure!
If you could have a coffee with any figure from Australian history, who would it be?
Without hesitation I would choose to meet Albert Facey. His memoir A Fortunate Life (1981) is one of the most important books for understanding modern Perth, all through the lens of a single person’s life. He worked as a farmer in the wheatbelt and a cowboy in the Pilbara before enlisting to serve at Gallipoli. In between his adventures he returns to Perth, and gives colourful accounts of some of the inner-city suburbs, particularly Northbridge and Subiaco. Despite the adversity he faced he still considered his life in Western Australia fortunate. His story is a testament to the fact that Perth’s current prosperity rests on the sacrifice and perseverance of so many generations that came before.
Where in Perth would you take them?
Facey would probably know Perth better than me. He would be amazed to see the scale of development since he passed away at age 87. I would take him to Pelican Point down by the UWA campus, listen to one of his great stories, and show him the best spot for spotting dolphins.